Hope Construction Materials is investing GBP14m (EUR17.9m) to boost production at its Hope Works cement plant in the Derbyshire Peak District, UK.
 
The company, which yesterday celebrated its second year of cement production, has kicked off several major capital projects which will help improve the plant’s sustainability, improve the efficiency of the operation and help to secure future supplies for construction.
 
Hope has owned and operated the cement works since January 2013 and has made significant strides forward, using state-of-the-art technology, in just two years.

 Investment projects include:
 ·  Completion of a multi-million pound system to increase the amount of waste-derived fuels the operation can accommodate.
·  An internal overhaul of the Hope chimney which will involve the construction and use of a second temporary chimney for a number of months
· Construction of a new storage facility to increase clinker stock holding, helping to secure a consistent supply of cement
· Improvements to the way the raw materials are fed into the twin kilns.
· Maintenance and refurbishment of a large section of one of the two kilns.

Ashley Bryan, Hope Construction Materials' Industrial Director,

inside the 20,000t clinker store at the Hope Works, UK

The delivery and installation of this section of kiln and the ‘tyre’ needed to help the kiln rotate have involved months of project planning, complex transport logistics and the use of oversize cranes on site.
 
Ed Cavanagh, Hope Works Operations Manager said: “We are very excited to be involved in the largest investment programme on site for many years. This works has operated for more than 85 years and directly employs nearly 200 people, making a massive contribution to the UK construction industry, producing 1.5Mt of cement at the site in 2014.
 
“The installation of the new kiln shell section is a spectacular piece of engineering involving several teams and very careful planning. We are delighted with the way that this individual project has evolved and look forward to seeing the others progress to schedule. Once this programme is complete, we will have an upgraded production plant, ready for the challenges of an increasingly busy time for building in the UK.”